Each historical-geographical region of Armenia has had its own place and role both in regional developments and in the social and cultural life of Armenians. From that point of view, Syunik province of the kingdom of Greater Armenia is not an exception either. Together with Artsakh, it has been the eastern gate of the Armenian land for centuries, one of its military-political and civilizational cornerstones . It is no coincidence that Syunik had a special status in the kingdom of Greater Armenia. In Arsacid Armenia, the military forces under the ruling Syunik (Syuni) ministerial dynasty were among the most numerous , that is, they were ministers of the nobility and bore the titles of Prince of Princes or Crown Prince.

KeywordsSyunik Arevik canton Meghri Sisakan Stepanos Orbelian Tatev monastery Kingdom of Syunik David Bek Zangezur district Garegin Nzhdeh Mountainous Armenia.

During the reign of Armenian Patriarch Hovhannes Kolot of Constantinople, thanks to his prudence, frequent outbreaks of splits in the Armenian Community were prevented. Negotiation processes with Armenian Catholics were expanded. For Hovhannes Kolot and his associates, the basis of the dialogues was that the Catholics being members of the Armenian Community should refrain from confrontations against the national church, which would also help to avoid persecution by the state. Instead, as the facts show, the leaders of the community provided Armenian Catholics a stage (for sermons) in the national churches, banned the anti-Chalcedonian demonstrations in those churches, etc. In a number of issues, Hovhannes Kolot cooperated with the French ambassador to Constantinople, who was guided not by religious limitations but by the political interests of France.

KeywordsArmenian Community of Constantinople Armenian Catholics Hovhannes Kolot Grigor Shirvantsi (Shgtayakir) St. Hakobyants Monastery Hakop Nalyan Petros Kyutur religious contradictions Angora translated Catholic literature.

The comparative analysis of the manuscript sources allows us to outline the general path of development of manuscript number 3917 kept in the Matenadaran after M. Mashtots; it contains the “Interpretation of Grammar” by Grigor Magistros (990–1058) and presents the scientific and educational environment in which this grammatical work was spread. As a result of the research, it becomes clear, that the “Interpretation” by Magistros was used in Tatev and Sarkavagants Monasteries. In the 15th century, when the interpretations of Hovhannes Yerznkatsi, Hovhannes Tsortsoretsi, and Vardan Areveltsi were created, Grigor Tatevatsi handed over the original of the “Grammar” by Magistros to his student Archimandrite Hovhannes Karmir from Kapan to circulate in the Sarkavagants Monastery.

KeywordsGrigor Magistros “Interpretation of Grammar” manuscript colophon Grigor Tatevatsi Archimandrite Hovhannes Tatev Monastery Deacon Monastery library writing center.

According to historiographer Stepanos Orbelyan, a fortification was erected around Tatev Monastery at the beginning of the 10th century on the initiative of the spiritual leader of Syunik, Bishop Hovhannes (1006–1058). In the first and second halves of the 11th century, on the initiative of Bishops Hovhannes and Gregory (1058–1116), arched gates with apses and churches were built over the western and eastern entrances adjacent to the fortification. The western entrance with its apses of St. Karapet did not reach us, but in the 1980s, the eastern entrance near the northern fortification was restored together with the one-nave and over the gate churches of Holy Mother of God (built in 1087).

KeywordsTatev Monastery Stepanos Orbelyan old and new entrances of the fortification construction of the spring archaeological excavations epigraphic inscription manuscript mention.

In the VIII-IX centuries, feudal landownership, which constituted the economic basis of the Armenian Church, underwent structural changes. Newly built monasteries form their infrastructure and acquire large plots of land. In the context of interfaith disputes and attacks from Islam, the church strengthens its theoretical foundations and creates its own legislation. A clear definition of the ritual-religious and theological principles of the Armenian Church contributes to the development of awareness of national and religious identity.

KeywordsArmenian church Arab rulers monastery religious persecution Bagarat Bagratuni David II Kakaghetsi Hovhannes IV Ovaetsi Mutavaqqil apostasy rebellion Tondrakian movement martyrdom.

Tatev monastery is one of the famous spiritual-cultural centers of medieval Armenia, the main St. Paul-Peter (895–906) temple of which was built on the site of an early medieval dilapidated church. The cornices of the eastern twin niches of the temple, as well as one for each of the northern and southern windows of St. Paul-Peter temple of Tatev monastery, are decorated with ktitor sculptural portraits and with the reliefs of dragon-snakes (except for the southern cornice) symbolizing their protection.

KeywordsTatev monastery St. Paul-Peter temple reliefs St. Orbelyan St. Mnatsakanyan sculptural portrait dragon-snake niche cornice prince vardpet (stonemason) Yeghia.